Benson Grist Mill
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Plan to attend
Farmers Market (Hideout Farms and Ranch) – June 22 – October 19
The Benson Grist Mill Farmer’s Market is where everyone can feel welcome. This thriving community has grown to 27+ vendors with more applying to be added weekly. Hideout Farms and Ranch’s passion is to create an inclusive space that caters to all, and we are...
Pioneer Fun at the Mill
Step back in time at a free family-friendly event that invites you to take a glimpse into the lives of pioneer children and explore the rich pioneer heritage of Tooele County! Enjoy an action packed day of hands-on activities as you play games, make crafts, and try...
Ren Faire – September 20-21
The Ren Faire is a vibrant component of the Tooele County Arts Guild (TCAG) and a celebration of creativity, artistry, and community spirit! Organized and funded by TCAG, Ren Faire 2024 is made possible by the dedication of our volunteers who generously contribute...
Fall Festival – October 18-19
Mark your calendars for the annual Fall Festival at Benson Grist Mill Historic Site! Join us for a weekend filled with family fun, delicious food, and local crafts. Admission to the festival is free, and there will be plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy....
Christmas Lighting and Live Nativity – December 2- 6 pm to 8 pm
Celebrate the Season: Annual Lighting of Benson Grist Mill Historic Site Get ready to ignite the magic of the holiday season at our annual lighting event at Benson Grist Mill Historic Site! Join us for an enchanting evening with festive activities, entertainment, and...
COME VISIT US AT BENSON GRIST MILL
Country Store
Purchase souvenirs and snacks at the country store during your visit. There is so much to do and so much to see at the Benson Grist Mill.
Staff and Volunteers
The Benson Grist Mill is operated under the direction of Tooele County Parks & Recreation.
Administration
Corey Bullock, Parks and Recreation Director
Jodi Brunson, Historic Benson Grist Mill Supervisor
Tour Guides and Mill Staff
Andrea Reynolds
Lesley Pettis
Tally Reynolds
Ina Mogensen
Volunteers
Bob Shields
Karl Dunn
Bowery (Pavilion)
The Bowery (pavilion) includes 12 picnic tables and can accommodate up to 150 people. The Bowery can be reserved for a variety of uses such as:
- Family Reunions
- Weddings
- Company Parties
- Youth Conferences / Youth Groups
- Church Groups
- Boy Scout Functions
- Eagle Scout Ceremony
Weddings/Large Events $500.00
Reservation Fees | ||
---|---|---|
Fees | *Deposit | |
After Hours Requests (Photography) | $25.00/hr | - |
Daytime Use (25 or less) | $50.00/hr | $250.00 |
Daytime Use (26 to 100) | $100.00 for 1-4 hours and $10.00 for each additional hour | $250.00 |
Individual Overnight Camper | $10.00/night | - |
Overnight Groups | $125.00/night | $250.00 |
Weddings, Large Events (100+ people) | $500.00/day | $250.00 |
School Field Trip | $100.00 | - |
Ticketed Event | $500.00/day + $2.00/ticket | - |
* Deposits are refundable if the site is left clean.
*Call for rates for Tooele County School District schools
Agreements and Contracts
Benson Grist Mill Bowery and Site User Agreement
Photographer's Contract (after hours)
*The above contracts are a PDF document.
Adobe Reader can be downloaded from Adobe.com.
Contact (435) 882-7678 for more information.
Click here for Reservation Form
How to Get Here......
From Salt Lake City take I-80 or SR 201 West to exit 99 at Lake Point. Drive South on SR 36 about 3 miles until you get to the signal light at the Grantsville exit. Turn west on SR 138 and proceed west 1/4 mile. The Mill is on the right side of the road.
Benson Grist Mill
325 Pole Canyon Road
Stansbury Park, UT 84074
Telephone: 435-843-1759
The Benson Grist Mill is open for visitors Thursday, Friday and Saturday from May 1 through October 31. Tours of the mill and other pioneer buildings are provided by tour guides who are passionate about the mill's colorful past.
Operating Hours: May – June 1: Saturday’s only 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
June 1 – October 31: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Contact 435-843-1759 or bensongristmill@gmail.com for information regarding rentals.
Address and Telephone:
Benson Grist Mill
325 Pole Canyon Road
Stansbury Park, UT 84074
Telephone: 435-843-1759
Fax: (435) 882-6003
Email: bensongristmill@gmail.com
Grist Mill History
In 1854 LDS apostle Ezra Taft Benson arrived in Tooele Valley with orders from Church President Brigham Young to construct a gristmill that would serve new pioneer settlements in the area. His labor and commitment still stand proudly today in the Benson Gristmill, one of America’s truly remarkable historical structures.
Located in northern Tooele Valley beside a spring-fed pond, the Benson Gristmill was made of rock and wood by skilled pioneer artisans over 150 years ago. The mastery of their construction methods is easily seen inside the mill where wooden pegs were pounded into massive wooden beams.
From 1854 to the 1940’s, the Benson Mill processed wheat and corn by the ton. The milling equipment can be seen inside the mill during the tour.
The site was known as Benson’s Mill as early as 1849. Thomas Lee and other members of the Lee family were hired to oversee the construction of the Grist Mill which was completed in 1854.
After the last bag of flour was ground in the 1940’s, the gristmill lay silent for over 40 years, gradually falling into disrepair. In 1983 an ambitious committee of volunteers acquired the mill site property and began restoring the structure one piece at a time. The restored mill, which is widely recognized as one of the more intact pioneer era industrial buildings in Utah, captivates the interest of visitors from around the world.
The original restoration committee consisted of: Jack Smith, Chairman, Wayne Shields, Boyd and Ouida Blanthorn, Ray Court, Bob and Marilyn Shields, Douglas Smith and Maxine Grimm.
Serve With Us
Service projects are always welcomed and appreciated in helping to preserve the history and heritage of the mill. There are all sorts of projects available such as painting, construction, gardening, etc. For more information contact (435)-843-1759.